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Shear walls and wall priority

Katie Walker: STG Design; September 5, 2018

In a 35 story high-rise design, we have a 12” thick concrete, structural shear-wall forming the core of the building and wrapping several elevator penetrations.
The shear wall is providing both vertical support (like a column) and lateral stability against horizontal movement.

We think that, like a column within a tenant space, the structural shear wall should be considered leasable square footage assignable to the tenant’s lease area and not part of the elevator’s void/opening area. If it were not structural that would not be the case.

Is our interpretation consistent with 2017 BOMA area calculation methodology?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

David Fingret: Extreme Measures Inc.; September 7, 2018

Hi Katie,

Please send a floor plan to mail@xmeasures.com illustrating the condition. Do the elevator shafts have their own enclosing walls?

Thanks,